If your office is as cold as mine come summer you have quite the dilemma when getting dressed in the morning. The miracle of the cardigan is that it's an easy add-on to take your outfit from outdoor-ready and hopefully heat-resistant to igloo-ready. There will never be a way to get the office temperature just right for everyone. I've learned not to complain until my hands are about to freeze and break off.
It gave me a chance to sample the cardigans Anthropologie is already putting out for fall. That's right -- fall. Even though summer just started a couple of days ago. Fashion will someday catch up to the Internet age, but until then buy your summer clothes while you can. They'll be gone from the racks in 2 weeks.
This reviews set is all about layers. To begin with I picked up Left Coast's Self-Possessed Tank (now $40) which was part of this week's sizable markdowns. I like the idea of chiffon shards slicing down this tank like lightning or stalactites. This top was super soft and had a nice, easy rounded hem. I tried on a medium and found it very form-fitting. Since I was wearing a romper you'll notice some lumps and bumps in the hip area. Without the romper the shirt slid over fine, so it seems true to size.
Even on sale this top is nice but not worth the price. $20 seems more appropriate. I've got my eye on this one for second cuts.
Emily included the Wild and Wondrous Cardigan ($118) in her guest reviews set and it made me very excited to see Sparrow's long open cardi for myself! Soho had just a few left so I quickly snapped one up to try on. Anthropologie calls this sweater "unbelievably soft" but I have to disagree. It's not rough like a lot of Sparrow's items are but it's not velvety either. It falls somewhere between. I tried on a small and found it comfortable. There's one hook-and-eye closure right under the bust that I left undone; check Emily's guest review to see how it looks closed.
The incredibly bold pattern differs from cardi to cardi. I liked the fern shoots crawling over the elbow of the one I tried on. This cardigan is longer in the front than the back and has soft pleats in the front. It also has subtle tapering at the hips that creates a lovely shape. I was so impressed with this cardigan! One of Sparrow's best efforts to date. Just one word of caution -- the knit is looser than I'd like. This cardi will require TLC to make it last and though it says hand washable I really think you'll want to dry clean this one to keep the pattern vivid. Consider it an investment piece. I couldn't resist bringing this cardi home with me.
The Climbing Cowlneck has a printed sister in the Folded Mementos Tee ($58). The reviews on Anthro's site are overwhelmingly positive but I was meh on this top myself. While the Climbing Cowlneck's solidness flattered my curves in impressive ways the print on this version made me feel rather bulky. It has the same folded sunrise pleats along one side as its predecessor and at the shoulders. The print pulls the eye in my opinion, and not in good ways. If you didn't like the Climbing Cowlneck you won't like this one. If you did like it give this one a shot in the same size. Pass for me.
For some more floral I tried the Tucked-Away Blooms Cardigan ($88) in its fall iteration. I do believe I reviewed this cardi previously but can't find the link at the moment; I will update once I do. I like that the substantial print lives on just a small portion of the cardigan but I find it odd that it chooses under the arms to bloom. The hidden buttons are also strange to me. But Moth has done quite nicely in terms of feel (very soft). The medium fit comfortably. The length was perfect. If I can get past where the print lives this cardigan will be coming home with me at sale time.
Karen Nichol's Scribbled Bouquet Cardigan ($98) got the guest review treatment from Robin two weeks ago. She seemed to like it; her recommendation was enough for me to give it a shot. I layered it over the sky blue Climbing Cowlneck (now $30, review here). The shots above are the medium for the cardi. Oddly, though most people find Karen Nichol true to size I always have to size up. The medium closed but with horrible gaps.
It's a very thin cotton that's slightly sheer on the arms. I just love the flowers though -- how they're bold splotches of coloring inside and out of the lines and how they have little sparkles and beads adorning them. Sigh. I was in love! It looked so great over the Climbing Cowlneck that I just had to buy it immediately. Impulse buy, I admit. I purchased in a large to avoid gaps. My recommendation is to wait for sale if you can.
I wasn't enthralled with Porridge's Sea's Epitome Shirt (now $30, review here) but I loved the pattern on the similar Above the Board Tee ($58). So I gave it a shot. I fared about the same in my usual size medium. The top is comfy but it fits closely around my hips. It was a bit looser than the Sea's Epitome Shirt. And I love the pattern (which varies slightly from shirt to shirt). Pima cotton is very hard to say no to, so soft and airy. The two little buttons on the collar are a really nice detail.
But what really got me interested in this top...
...was how it was paired with Fei's Arid Season Button-Up ($78). Winner! Soho always has the best pairing ideas. Kudos to the staff there. The plum purple and white of the tee popped out from under the green in wonderful ways. I'm not sure I'd like this shirt without the tee pairing underneath but they worked great together.
The shirt is a sturdy cotton that had an almost linen-like feel to it -- just without the roughness. I like the sleeve style with its roll-up and button cuff. It's vaguely safari. I don't agree with Anthro's take that this is light enough for summer. Not in 90 degree heat. In the office however? Totally. I usually size up in Fei so it was an 8 for me. It was a bit loose through the waist but I would not go back to my normal size 6 for fear of gaping buttons. I've wishlisted both tops for now.
